prescription drugshttp://kplu.org
enWash. state earns 'A' grade for pain prescribing, for nowhttp://kplu.org/post/wash-state-earns-grade-pain-prescribing-now
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Washington state has earned a top grade from the American Cancer Society when it comes to helping people suffering from long-term pain. However, the state’s law on pain medication is unusual enough that the Cancer Society is surveying doctors to learn more about how it’s working.</span></p><p>In the past, many patients in chronic pain—lasting months or years—believed they were just supposed to suffer through it.</p>Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:00:00 +0000Keith Seinfeld8982 at http://kplu.orgWash. state earns 'A' grade for pain prescribing, for nowPrescription overdose deaths drop again in Washingtonhttp://kplu.org/post/prescription-overdose-deaths-drop-again-washington
<p></p><p>Drug overdose deaths are on the decline across Washington, at least when it comes to prescription painkillers.</p><p>Those pills have been under scrutiny since overdose deaths rose dramatically starting in 1998. They reached a peak in 2008, killing more than 500 people that year.Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:26:31 +0000Keith Seinfeld7626 at http://kplu.orgPrescription overdose deaths drop again in WashingtonRising abuse has doctors pushing for fewer painkiller prescriptions http://kplu.org/post/rising-abuse-has-doctors-pushing-fewer-painkiller-prescriptions
<p>If you have a condition or injury that leaves you in non-stop pain, for months or years, your doctor might prescribe a powerful painkiller, such as Vicodin or OxyContin. Many doctors are looking for alternatives to these narcotics, and they're sharing approaches this week at a “<a href="http://www.ghinnovates.org/?p=3175">National Opioid Summit</a>” in SeaTac.&nbsp;</p><p>Concerns about painkillers are rising, because abuse, addiction and overdose deaths are up.</p><p>Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:18:41 +0000Keith Seinfeld6913 at http://kplu.orgRising abuse has doctors pushing for fewer painkiller prescriptions Methadone deaths down, but cause could be shift to other drugshttp://kplu.org/post/methadone-deaths-down-cause-could-be-shift-other-drugs
Tuesday. The Northwest has one of the highest Methadone prescription rates in the country.<p>You’ve probably heard of Methadone in the context of treatment for heroin addiction. But it’s also a painkiller in the same league as Vicodin and OxyContin.<p>According to the CDC, Methadone prescriptions and overdose deaths peaked in 2007. It’s a trend borne out by drug death numbers from the Seattle area and Oregon.Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:00:44 +00005493 at http://kplu.orgSpike in deaths from heroin draws attention to increase in use among younghttp://kplu.org/post/spike-deaths-heroin-draws-attention-increase-use-among-young
<p><em>&quot;Nationally, Seattle is fairly high in heroin use.&quot;</em></p><p>Last week Washington state saw a spike in heroin-probable deaths. Seven people in King County overdosed on the drug with in just four days.</p><p>The spike stands out against a general decline in deaths due more to a decrease in the purity of the drug than a drop in usage, said one researcher. In fact, use among the young has risen by 74 percent.</p><p>Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:40:06 +0000Evan Hoover4433 at http://kplu.orgSpike in deaths from heroin draws attention to increase in use among youngCould a club drug offer 'almost immediate' relief from depression?http://kplu.org/post/could-club-drug-offer-almost-immediate-relief-depression
There's no quick fix for severe depression.<p>Although antidepressants like <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000885/">Prozac</a> have been around since the 1970s, they usually take weeks to make a difference.Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:57:25 +00003971 at http://kplu.orgCould a club drug offer 'almost immediate' relief from depression?NW medical school doctors paid by drug companieshttp://kplu.org/post/nw-medical-school-doctors-paid-drug-companies
<p>Some doctors on the faculty of Northwest medical schools are getting paid by pharmaceutical companies to give talks on new drugs.</p><p>Harvard and Stanford have banned this practice. But not Oregon Health and Science University or the University of Washington. Now some medical students want similar bans here.</p><p>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:07:47 +0000Austin Jenkins2674 at http://kplu.orgNW medical school doctors paid by drug companiesBetter monitoring for prescription painkillershttp://kplu.org/post/better-monitoring-prescription-painkillers
<p>http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-981609.mp3</p><p>A new approach to prescription painkillers at Group Health Cooperative could become a model for other medical providers.&nbsp;</p><p>Painkillers have become a national concern because they&#39;re addictive and there&rsquo;s been an uptick in overdoses. The number of people who have long-term prescriptions for painkillers has doubled over the past decade.&nbsp;</p>Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:00:00 +0000Keith Seinfeld2310 at http://kplu.orgBetter monitoring for prescription painkillersOpen enrollment season and Medicare changeshttp://kplu.org/post/open-enrollment-season-and-medicare-changes
<P>http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-934886.mp3</P>
<P>We’ve been hearing a lot about the politics of health care lately.&nbsp; In the meantime, many employers are in open enrollment season, making for a confusing month when it comes to health insurance.&nbsp; And for seniors on Medicare,&nbsp; November brings the annual dilemma about prescription drugs.</P>
<P>Most people with private insurance are finding premiums are bumping up, requiring trade-offs between higher co-pays versus better coverage.&nbsp; The federal health overhauls are starting to offer somMon, 15 Nov 2010 11:16:50 +0000Keith Seinfeld140 at http://kplu.orgOpen enrollment season and Medicare changes